Dental mirror and aspirator



J- F. WARRINER DENTAL MIRROR AND ASPIRATOR Sept. 3, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1961 FIG.4

JOE F. WARRI N ER INVENTOR fzQM ZM AGENT p 3, 1953 r J. FwWARRIN E R f 3,102,338

DENTAL MIRROR AND ASPIRATOR Filed Dec. 18, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 0 69 L 66 7 L a-..) 5'6 4 FIG. 7 l I L58 v a I Q \I I\J\I JOE F. WARRINER INVENTOR.

AGENT a action to clear themirror surface. s a An additional object is to provide a device of a similarly enlarged 3,102,338 j DENTAL MIRROR AND ASPIRATOR r t Joe F. Warriner, 1903 Dorchester Drive, a v Oklahoma City 20, Okla. Filed Dec. 18,1961,Ser. No. 160,122

6 Claims. (Cl. 3269) present invention relates to dental appliances and to a combined dental mirror and more particularly "evacuator. r

lDentaldrills, which rotate at a relatively high speed,

requiresacbnstantflow of coolant applied at thepoint of drill contact thereby necessitating the use of evacuatmying meansto remove the fluid from the patients mouth.

:ItfiS desirable, when using a drill of this type, to remove #the coolant fluid from the patients mouth while main- 'taining a clear reflecting surface on the dental mirror being used so that progress of the drilling may be observed. Heretofore it has been difficult to maintain a clear refleeting surface on the dental mirror because the coolant Y fogs the mirror even while using an aspirator.

=It is, therefore, the principal object of the instant iniventibn to provide .a den-talmirror for use in combina:

ltion with a fluid cooled drill which will evacuate fluid fromwlthe patients mouth and maintain the reflecting surface j. of the mirror freeof the coolant during "use. 1 'Another object is to provide a device of this class which will eliminate the necessity of stopping the drilling this 4 United States Patent Patented seat;- 3, 1 963 of components the end of the handle 14 with the" plane of the end member disposed at an obtuseangle with respect .to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The end member 16 is provided with an upstanding wall 18'which curves r .arcuately rearward from its forwardedge or side opto its bottom or back 20, as at 21.

The wall of the handle 14 is flattened from opposing posite the handle in overhanging relation with respect sides adjacent its connectionwith the end m'ember16, I

as at 22,.and the end edge of the handle wall merges with and is integrally connected to the endmember wall 18, as at 24,1eaving\a transverse free edge'portion of the handle wall, as at 26, for the purposes more fully described hereinbelow. The end member bot-torn orback 20 and its surrounding wall 18 thus forms-a cup-like fluid r receiving compartment 28communicati'n'gwith the bore class which may be easily used in the patients mouth jby an attendant for holding the patients lip or'kcheek away from the gums and teeth and which simultaneously acts, as an aspirator.

Another object is to, providea device of this class iwhich includes swivel means connected with a pressure I r reducing tubular member on suction tube thus permitting rotation of the device aboutits longitudinal axis;

:Still another object resides in providingmeans wherehythe mirror may beea'sily removed for replacement and i for cleaning the device; a i

, 1 Yet another object is to provide a device which is removably connected to one outlet of a'swivel means and wherein the other outlet ,of the swivel means projects a I laterally in v'ri ght iangula'r relation withrespect to the longitudinal axisof-the device thus achieving a better balance for manually manipulating the device duringuse.

of thehandle 14. I i e j a The inner surface of itheend member botton'ihas, integrally connected thereto, a pair 0f upstanding pillars or supports 30 positionedin spaced-apart relation with re- ,spect to the end member wall 18 andinspaced relation with respect to the juncture of the handle and end meniher. A resilient member or spring 32, in the embodiment tshownpreferably a length'of rod-likespring steel material,

is connected by one end portion to the inward surface of the end member back 20 betweenthe supportslillgas at 1 34, and is'arcuately curved across the inner surfaceof the bottom 2Q-itovlardthe forward overhanging portion of Thetpresent inventicn accomplishes these andother objects by providing a tubular handle removably con-- nected at one; end to *aswivelmeans and integrally connected at its other end to a fiiud receiving end 14 memberextending outward at an obtuse angle with respectto the longitudinal axis of the handle. Means con nected tothe end member removably supports a mirror;

Other objects willsbe apparent from the following panyingi two sheets ofldrawings, wherein: 1

FIGUREI is anelevational view of the device;

,j FIGURE 2 is aback orebottom view of the end mern j URE 351's a vertical cross-sectional view to ane n larged scale, taken substantially along the line 3 30i ber including a fragment oflthe handle;

a FIGUREA is a horizontal cross-sectional view, to a line 4.4ofFIG. 3; h v it FIGURE 5;.isva top plan view of the mirror, perjse; r

FIGURE 611's a vertical cross-sectional view, to an enlFarged scaler talzen substantially alongfth e line 66q of F- GURE 7 is v a verticali cross-sectional view taken t substantially alengtnelinefi-rof BIG. 1; and a,

description when taken in conjunction with the accom;

scale; talren-substantially along the and then turnedupwardly a selected distaneeas at 38.

' An image reflecting member, preferably a mirrorio, of a the type conventionally yus ed in-dental v mirrors, having a diameter slightly less than the diameter pr the-end member 16, is positioned within the end member-and held' within the wall'lS by'the spring member 32and supports 3 30. The spring 32 normallycurges, themirror, 4 0rear wardl y toward the juncture of'the end member, wall and handle 14 so that the forward edge portion of the mirror is maintained in spacedrelation with respect to the wall 18 and its overhanginglip portion While an arc of the periphery of the mirror is disposed against an-arc ofthe inner wall 18 adjacent the juncture of the latter withrthe handle. The height of -the supports 30 isypreferably-such that the" plane of the .arc of the upper surface of the mirror, v j v adjacent the handle 14, is disposed slightly below the plane defined by the upper'edge-of the wa1l18 atitsjuncture with the handle14. 'The' forwardly, disposed edgeor arc of thejmirror, supportedby the free end portion of the spring member 32, is spaced below the plane defined by-the upper edge ofthe overhanging portion of the wall filth us-positioningthe plane of the upper surface of the mirror on a plane inclined-forwardly and downwardly within the space 28 defined by the end member wall. The

upstanding portion 38 of the springmember is preferably a length substantially equal to the thickness of themirror 40. A recess or'notch 42 isformed on the periphery of the mirror 40 (FIGS. 5 and 6): for nestinganiarc' of the springmember projection 38 to facilitatepositioning' the mirror when inserting the latter into the end member 16:

The free end edge portion 26 of theha ndle extends the Wall -18.; The free end portion ofthe spring member" 33132 is :arcu'ately turned forward toward the wall,as at 3 6, i

transversely in spaced relation above the plane of the mirror to form an opening, as at 44, for the purposes which will readily be apparent.

The end member back 20, adjacent an arc of its forward edge portion, is provided with a series preferably five equally spaced-apart small diameter apertures 46. The apertures 46 are positioned in the back wall 20 at the juncture of the outer flat surface of the back 20 with the arcuate portion of the wall 18. The spacing between the apertures 46 is preferably approximately 30 so that the spacing between the outermost apertures 46 encompasses an arc of approximately 120 extending equiangular on either side of a diametric line of the end member 16 extended forwardly from the axis of the handle 14.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the swivel 12 includes a tubular body portion 50 having an inturned lip portion 52 at one end to form an annular shoulder 54. A rotating sleeve 56 has its outer Wall closely received by the inner wall 55 of the housing 50 and is seated at one end on the shoulder 54. The inner wall 58 of the sleeve 56 closely receives the periphery of the end portion of the handle 14. The inner wall of the sleeve 56 is provided, intermediate its ends, with an annular groove 60 for nesting an O-ring 62 which cooperatively seats within an annular groove or recess 64 formed on the periphery of the handle 14 adjacent its end opposite the endmember 16. Thus when the handle 14 is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the sleeve 56 is rotated Within the housing 50. I

A tubular member or stop 66 is closely received by and is fixed to the inner wall 55 of the housing 50 and is seated against the end of the sleeve 56 opposite the shoulder 54. The stop 66 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 68 forming an annular shoulder 69 for limiting the inward movement of the adjacent end of the handle 14. The diametric distance across the inner limit of the flange 68 is substantially equal to the bore of the handle 14. The end of the housing 50, opposite its connection with the handle 14, is closed and sealed by a cap '70 having a rabbeted edge portion, as at 72, which nests the end edge portion of the housing 50. The housing 50 is provided with a lateral port 74 which cooperatively receives one end of a tubular extension 76. The other end of the extension 76 is friotionally inserted within the free end portion of a pressure reducing or suction tube 78 connected with a continuous air-flow vacuum pump, not shown.

Operation tion of the handle and end member 16 is inserted into 'the patients mouth wherein the obtuse angle of the end member, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle '14 permits the mirror to be used in a conventional manner. Since the handle 14 is freely rotatable within the swivel 12, the end member 16 may be positioned in the patients mouth with the back surface 20 forced against the patients cheek or lips to hold the same in spaced relation with respect to the gums or teeth. Fluid, discharged'by the water-cooled high speed drill collecting within the mouth cavity of the patient, is picked up by itsentering the cup-shaped portion of the end member 16 and through the apertures 46 by the suction eflect through the bore of the handle 14. V

The mirror 40 is easily removed from the end member 16 for cleaning the instrument or replacing the mirror by simply inserting a small instrument, not shown, into the opening or space 44 between the end edge surface 26 of the handle and the adjacent arc of the mirror to force the mirror against the spring means 32 wherein the rearward arcuate edge of the mirror may be lifted out of contact with that portion of the wall 18 normally contacting a peripheral portion of the mirror surface. The mirror is replaced within the end member 16 by posi- '4 tioning the groove 42 against the spring member portion 38 and forcing the opposite arcuate edge portion of the mirror downwardly within the wall 18 against the supports 30 in a snapping action.

Obviously the invention is susceptible to some change or alteration without defeating its practicability, and I therefore do not wish to be confined to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein, further than I am limited by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dental instnument, comprising: an elongated tubular handle; external connecting means at one end of the handle for connection with a suction line; a shall-ow cup shaped end member connected to the end of said handle opposite the first said end, said end member disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle, said end member forming a fluid receiving compartment communicating with the liquid passageway in said handle; an arcuate resilient member connected at one end to the inner surface of said end member adjacent its connection with said handle and positioned at its other end portion in closely spaced relation with respect to the inner surface of that portion of the wall of said cup-shaped end member opposite its connection with said handle; and an image reflecting member removably positioned on said resilient member within said end member and extending between the free end of said resilient member and that portion of the wall of said end member opposite its connection with said handle in a plane inclined with respect to the principal plane of said end member.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1 in which said image reflecting member forms an inclined partition in said end member and divides the fluid receiving compartment whereby the suction line draws fluid received by said end member across 'both surfaces of said image reflecting member.

3. A dental evacuating instrument, comprising: an elongated tubular handle; swivel means connected to one end portion of said handle for rotative movement of said handle about its longitudinal axis, said swivel means having an outlet port normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle and adapted to be connected with a pressure reducing tubular member; a substantially circular end member connected to the other end of said handle at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle, said end member having a surrounding upturned wall portion forming a fluid receiving compartment communicating with the bore of said handle; an arcuate resilient member connected at one end to the inner surface of said end member adjacent its connection with said handle and positioned at its other end portion inclosely spaced relation with respect to the inner surface of that portion of the wall of said end member opposite its connection with said handle; and an image reflecting member removably positioned on said resilient member within said end member and extending between the free end of said resilient member and that portion of the wall of said end member opposite its connection with said handle in a plane inclined with respect to the principal plane of said end member.

4. A dental evacuating instrument, comprising: a tubular handle; a substantially circular end member connected to one end of said handle at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle, said end member having a surrounding upturned wall portion forming a fluid receiving compartment communicating with the bore of said handle; an arcuate resilient member connected at one end to the inner surface of said end member adjacent its connection with said handle and positioned at its other end portion in closely spaced relation with respect to the inner surface of that portion of the wall of said end member opposite its connection with said handle; and an image reflecting member removably clined with respect to the 5 positioned on said resilient her and extending between the free end of said resilient member and that portion ofthe wall of said end mernber opposite its connection with said handle in a plane inprincipal plane of said end member. 7 3 i 5. A device of the class described, comprising: an elongated tubular handle; a substantially circular end member connected to one end of said handle at an obtuse angle with respect to the axis of said handle, said end member having an arouate surrounding 'wall forming a fluid receiving compartment communicating with the bore of said handle; a suppont connected to the inner surface of said end member adjacent its connection with, said handle; a resilient member connected to the inner surface of said end member adjacent its connection with said handle and projecting toward that portion of said wall opposite its connection with said handle; and an image reflecting member removably positioned on said support within said end member and extending between the free member within said end meniend of said resilient member and that portion of said wall connected with said handle in a plane inclined with respect rto-the principal plane of said end member.

6. Structure as specified in claim 5 and tubular s wivel means connected with the end portion of said handle opposite said end member permitting rotation of said handle about its longitudinal axis, said swivel means having a lateral port, at right angle with respeot to the longitudinal axis of said handle, adapted for connection with a suction line. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DENTAL INSTRUMENT, COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED TUBULAR HANDLE; EXTERNAL CONNECTING MEANS AT ONE END OF THE HANDLE FOR CONNECTION WITH A SUCTION LINE; A SHALLOW CUP SHAPED END MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE END OF SAID HANDLE OPPOSITE THE FIRST SAID END, SAID END MEMBER DISPOSED AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HANDLE, SAID END MEMBER FORMING A FLUID RECEIVING COMPARTMENT COMMUNICATING WITH THE LIQUID PASSAGEWAY IN SAID HANDLE; AN ARCUATE RESILIENT MEMBER CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID END MEMBER ADJACENT ITS CONNECTION WITH SAID HANDLE AND POSITIONED AT ITS OTHER END PORTION IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE INNER SURFACE OF THAT PORTION OF THE WALL OF SAID CUP-SHAPED END MEMBER OPPOSITE ITS CONNECTION WITH SAID HANDLE; AND AN IMAGE REFLECTING MEMBER REMOVABLY POSITIONED ON SAID RESILIENT MEMBER WITHIN SAID END MEMBER AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FREE END OF SAID RESILIENT MEMBER AND THAT PORTION OF THE WALL OF SAID END MEMBER OPPOSITE ITS CONNECTION WITH SAID HANDLE IN A PLANE INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO THE PRINCIPAL PLANE OF SAID END MEMBER. 